Vessel-raising appliance.



H. A. DICKS.

VESSEL RAISING APPLIANCE- APPLICATION FILED JAN.9. 1915.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

avwcutoz HENRY I DICKS my. M

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINUTDN, D- c VESSEL-RAISING APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

. Application filed January 9, 191's. Serial No. 1,36

To all whom "it concern:

- Be it known that I, HENRY A. DICKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mandeville, in the parish of St. Tammany.

and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vessel-Raising Appliances, of which the following is a specification, reference being had controlling cocks whereby-said tank may be submerged with convenience and facility and whereby the same may be rendered buoyant when submerged.

Furthermore, it is an ob ect of my invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the same may be applied into operative position.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved vessel raising appliance whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in the appended claims.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevational view of an appliance constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position; Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of my improved appliance; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a tubular body of predetermined dimensions and configuration but herein disclosed as cylindrical and having its opposite ends closed by the heads 2, each of said heads 2 being positioned inwardly of the adjacent end of the body 1 whereby a protecting flange 3 is afforded for the valves 1, 5 and 6 carried by the heads 2 and in communication with the interior of the body 1. The valves 4: and 5 are carried by one 1 of the heads 2 and are substantially diametrically opposed while the third valve 6 iscarried by the opposite head 2 and in substantially longitudinal alinement with the valve 5. Coupled to the cock 5 is the flexible conduit or pipe 7 adapted to lead from a suitable source of air supply, for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. 4

Surrounding the body .1 and in predetermined spacedrelation longitudinally thereof are the straps 8 having secured along the under side of the body 1 the rings 9 to-each of which is adapted to be secured the extremity of a flexible member 10, said member 10 being intended to be suitably engaged with a sunken vesselV or other sunken object to be raised.

In practice any number of the bodies 1 constructed in accordance with my invention may be employed, and as is particularly illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be observed that it is my intention to dispose these bodies 1 at opposite sides of the vessel V or the like and to have the bodies 10 disposed therebeneath whereby the vessel V or the like may be lifted under the influence of the members 1 when in a buoyant state.

When it is desired to sink one of my improved devices, the valves 4: and 6 are open and the valve 5 closed. As will be selfevident, this arrangement will permit the water to enter within the member 1 and result in the sinking thereof. After the device has been properly engaged with the vessel V or the like, it is only necessary for the diver to close the valve 4 and open the valve 5 whereby the air delivered through the conduit or pipe 7 will force the water within the member 1 out through the cock 6. When the diver observes air bubbles rising from the cock 6, he will first close such valve and then close the valve 5. As is believed to be self-evident, the body 1 when filled with aid is in a buoyant state and will exert an upward strain on the vessel V or the like. By providing the flanges 8, it will be readily perceived that the cooks 4:, 5 and 6 are effectively protected against breakage or other injury when placed in storage or when being transported for use.

Disposed longitudinally of the member 1 and disposed beneath certain of the straps 8 is the bar 11 terminating at its outer extremity in an eye 12 to which is secured the flexible member 14: serving as a manipulating medium whereby the device may be positively raised when desired and whereby its descent may be controlled and the diver as sisted in adjusting the same when submerged.

vious thatf'my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not" i 7 Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice; I claim: I

1. A device of the character described comprising a hollow body having its 0pposite ends closed, diametrically opposed cocks in communication with the interior of Y the body through one of the ends thereof,

one of said cocks being in communication Copies of this patent may be obtained for with a source ofv air supply,and a cockcarried by the opposite end of thedevice in substantially longitudinal alinement with the cock in communication with-the air supply, each of the ends of the body being'posi tioned inwardly of the adjacent endthereof to afford a protecting flange for the adja cent valves. r i V 2. A device of the character described comprisinga hollow body havingjits op posite ends closed, diametrically opposed cocks in'communication with the interior of the body through one of theiends thereof, one of said cocks beingin communication with a source of air supply, a cock carried by the opposite end of the device in substantially longitudinal alinement with the cock in communication with the air supply, each of the ends of the body being 'positioned in wardly of the adjacent end thereof to afford a'protecting flange for the adjacent valves, and securing means carried by the body."

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

1 HENRY ARTHUR DIOKS. Witnesses:v V p F. EDW. VIX,

JNo. L. SMITH.

five cents each, by addressing the (Commissioner of Patent: Washington, D. 0. 

